Resilient shaft coupling



Patented Feb.' 4, `1 930 WILLIAM TREAvoUBs EATON; or WANGA'NI, NEW ZEALAND, AssIGNon or ONE-HALF l 'ro WILLIAM animas, or WANGANUI, NEW ZEALAND.

RESILIENT SHAFT coUrLING original application iilea rune 1s, 192e, serial No. 116,964, and in Australia July 10,1925. Divided and' this application led September 21, 1927. Serial No. 221,051.

This invention, which is-a division of lmy application No. 116,964, filed June 18, 1926,

- relates to clutches, couplings, shock absorbers and the like, o f the kind having an outer member adapted to be lockedv to a concentrically arranged inner member by means of A fluid introduced into common spaces between i transversely to form the spaces into which the Huid is introduced. A,

According to the present4 invention the inner and outer members are each provided vwith radial-recesses joining with the periphyeral transverse recesses whereby' when the recesses register, radial spaces each. commuare formed between the members for the reception of the fluid eecting the flexible lock ness in order to accommodate the `projecting betweeni'the members.

In one. form of device according to the invention side plates or cheeks carried by the outer member have their inner. working faces recessed in places joining with the transverse recesses of the said member, and the adj acent workingfaces of the inner member areprovided with 'corresponding recesses joining lwith the transverse recesses in its periphery so that when the recesses register radial spaces each communicating withthe individual transverse spaces are formed.

It will be understood that the parts and 'recesses may be arranged in 'multiple to in crease the power of the device. y

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is across sectional view of a device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a modication in cross section, and

Figure 3 is a side elevation of one ofthe parts seen in both of the above two figures.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the outer ringlike member 2a having side cheeks 8, en-

closes the inner circular member 4a. A shaft 3 supports the youter member and a shaft 3" 'supports the inner member. The adjacent peripheral faces 'of the two members are provided with all equal number of rethe cheeks. With this arrangement the fluid is introduced into the spaces formed -by the registeringrecesses and the flexible fluid lock results due partly to the transverse recesses and partly tothe radial recesses. i

The recesses 2O taper inwardly so that the ridges 22 between them are fof substantially equal width. `Referring to Fig. 2, the outer clutch member comprises two lcheek plates 8?, between which are bolted peripheral annular members2b, 2c and 2d. Of these, the extreme members `are provided with radial webs 2 formed-by series of depressions 23 in opposite sides of the members 2b and 2d. The intermediate section 2c is of shallow thick intermediate portion 2t of the inner clutchmember.

' The latter member comprises also the element 4b and 4d which are of relatively small diameter so as to lit rotatably within the circular openings defined by the webbed portions of the members 2b and 2d.

The portion 2t of the inner member is provided on its opposite sides with series of depressions adapted to register with. adjacent` depressions in the members 2b and 2d, thereby forming recesses, the lines of junction between said members intersecting said re'- cesses. The radiall recesses are connected by transverse recesses formed by depressions 2 6 and '27, provided respectively in the cylinf.

`drcal coacting faces of the` respective rela tively rotating parts. ,j l i When the recesses are 1n reglster a series of lntercommunlcatmg spaces is formed and .upon the introduction of the fluid into these spaces a flexible lock is. formed betwe'en the lnner and outer members.

The recesses 'in these devices may be simthe recesses.- If the recesses are filled with Y oil under pressure the ower of the lockbetween the parts will be rther increased.

What I claim'is:'- 1. In a gradual take-up'transmission \device, driving and driven elements', one comprising a circular member having a periph- `eral face, said member being provided with an cndlessseries of recesses, each including a portion extending transversely of said face and radial portions formed in the sides of said circular member,' joining said transverse portion, and the other element comprising a channelled member surrounding said circular member having an inner peripheral wall slidably fitting the'peripheral wall ofy said circular member, andl inner side walls slidably iitting the side wallsof said circular 'member, the channelled member having a corresponding endless series of recesses each including a transverse portion in the periphl eral Wall and radial portions in the side Walls,

the recesses in saidv driving and driven elements being adapted to registerin certain relative positions of `said elements, and viscous iiuid ilhngsaid recesses.

2. A gradual take-up transmission devicev as claimed in claim 1, the coacting faces of,

said members comprising channels on the one interleaving with a flange on the other, the said recesses in both members following vthe alternately radial and transverse course de termined by the relation of said iianges.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM TREAVOURS EATON. Y 

